Activists build treehouse in Shoreham to prevent tree being cut down

The group, called Poplar Front, set up camp on Saturday morning in Brighton Road, Shoreham, at the derelict site of the former Shoreham Civic Centre.

Members said they would "stay as long as it takes". 

The approximately 32-year-old poplar stands on the edge of the development, next to the Duke of Wellington pub.

Activists have “occupied” the 19m tall tree and are urging developer Hyde Housing to alter its plans to save it. They fear it could be axed in October or November.

The treehouse was put on Saturday, August 27

Darcy Harrison, spokesman for the group, said: “Our last resort is occupation on the basis that we want the council to listen to us.

“It is not taking into consideration anything to do with the value of the tree.

“From our point of view, it’s lazy. They’re showing indifference to climate change, bio-diversity loss, the value the tree could provide to future residents’ wellbeing.

“We want Hyde Housing to simply listen to the public and make a small compromise on the design.

Darcy Harrison is spokesman for Poplar Front

“The site is fine but we want them to reconfigure it."

Hyde Housing initially planned an 11-storey tower of 171 flats on the site but this was withdrawn following concerns from people about the height.

The new scheme is said to be between nine and seven storeys high with 159 flats.

The plans were approved by Adur District Council in March.

The tree is around 19 metres tall

In the report, the tree officer said the poplar is a “prominent and established feature, which contributes positively to the local character and landscape of the area, that cannot be easily replaced”.

The officer said although they could not “justify the loss of this tree” the “replacement trees do reflect its importance, maturity, stature and prominence in the area”.

The ground floor of the development will be commercial units rather than homes due to the risk of flooding in Shoreham.

At the group's site. Right, a warning from the group about being removed

One of the commercial spaces is where the tree stands.

There is also a different development which will see nearly 200 properties built across the road at the site of a car dealership.

Andy Hunt, lead development manager at Hyde Group, said: "We understand the depth of feeling about the poplar tree being felled.

The brownfield site where the development will be. The tree can be seen at the edge of the site by the A259

“Our proposed scheme will allow for a substantial tree planting programme along the Brighton Road and Ham Road boundaries of our site, which will improve the landscape and also provide support to wildlife. 

“Adur District Council, which granted the necessary planning approval, has agreed to the removal of the tree and has, throughout the design process, ensured sufficient tree planting as part of the scheme.

Underneath the treehouse

“Poplar trees have a typical lifespan of about 30 to 50 years and eventually have to be felled to protect local buildings. The development will provide 159 much needed social and affordable homes for local people in Shoreham."  

A spokesman for the council said: “Obviously this is a matter for the developer but what we should say is that this was rigorously discussed at a meeting of the council’s planning committee earlier this year in which the overall benefits of achieving 159 much-needed affordable homes on this site, 63 of which are for social rent, together with the planting of 20 new trees were taken into account when granting permission.”